More than 100 teachers deemed incompetent by school principals may soon be back in the classroom.

Of the 142 teachers referred to the New Zealand Teachers' Council since the competence rules began in 2005, only two have been deregistered. Twenty five have passed competency requirements and are back in the classroom and another 30 are relief teaching but are being monitored. A further 62 are being monitored.

The council's director Peter Lind says teachers can be deemed incompetent because of an inability to teach, failure to manage student behaviour or because of a breakdown in the relationship with students or staff. He says the teachers have conditions placed on their certificates and will not be reinstated until they have passed the requirements.

Mr Lind says parents should not be concerned as the teachers undergo thorough retraining.